MAY 3, 2003

Air Canada withdraws sponsorship of Montreal

Air Canada has cancelled its sponsorship of the Canadian Grand Prix because it cannot afford to go on. The national airline took over the sponsorship a few years ago when the law changed, which meant that previous backer Players was no longer allowed to support the event. The Montreal organizers say the the loss of the sponsor will not affect the race which will go ahead as planned in June.

Like many other airlines, Air Canada has been suffering from the loss of passengers resulting from the effects of the September 11 attacks, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the SARS virus in Asia.